Chipmunk's Solo AT Thru Hike UpdateDay 125 on the Appalachian Trail Miles Hiked to Date: 1316 Hiked yesterday: 15 Trail Miles, Miles left to hike: 867

It was another cool morning when we awoke but the sun was shining and there wasn't any rain in the forecast. It looked like a near perfect hiking day! Chipmunk dressed quickly and ate breakfast before pulling her boots on and heading out onto the trail. She wore her fleece and long pants because it was only about 55 degrees at the start of the day.

I reminded her to watch for the Hike For Mental Health members who said they would meet up with her on the trail and asked her to text me when they all connected. After a nice hug and a kiss I yelled "I love you. Be careful." Then I watched her as she headed into the woods again.

I searched Google Maps and the GPS for a wifi location nearby and found out that there really wasn't much in range. In fact, it would be a 30 minute ride into town so I stopped to get fuel at the first station. I climbed out of the truck, pulled my credit card out and was about to start pumping the diesel when this man arrived and took over.

At first, I thought he may have mistaken me for Jennifer Lopez; was a fan just wanting to show his loyalty, etc. Then I realized it ... I'M IN JERSEY! LAND OF PROFESSIONALLY PUMPED GAS! I'm a Jersey girl and have never accepted the rest of our country's obsession with pumping their own fuel. I wondered again how the state of NJ not only pumps your gas but also usually sells it lower than its neighboring states. I have a love/hate relationship with my home state but I appreciate having my gas pumped for me. I also appreciate that many people have jobs here pumping gas because NJ refuses to go self-serve. Every time I pump gas in the rain, cold, snow, unbearable heat of Florida ... I think wistfully about my home state. Go, Jersey! (FYI, there is no proof that the gentleman pumping my gas didn't mistake me for J-Lo.) (Also ... yes, Papa Chip ... I know. It's Diesel, not gas. Don't worry, I've caught myself every time before putting the wrong stuff in the tank.)

As I was blogging, I got word from Chipmunk that she had met up with Tom Kennedy of Hike for Mental Health and two other members: Mona and Wendy. She said she'd text me later in the day with an update.

I received this pic of Chipmunk and Mona, who Chipmunk would later give a new trail name, Bird Wing. Apparently, they called each other (unbeknownst to their fellow hikers) to coordinate the day's hiking outfit colors. Very cute! Both of them are also wearing visors!

I love this pic of Chipmunk and Wendy, whose trail name is "Twinkle Toes"! Don't they look like they could wrestle the bears, hog tie them and then steal their snacks??? Girl Power! In Wendy's case, she should probably just steal the bear's keys. Don't worry, Wendy, we still love you, with or without your keys!

When they took hiking breaks, Chipmunk scored some Twizzlers and took the opportunity to do her "Zoidberg" (of Futurama) impersonation. Later, I heard the story of how Chipmunk spelled out her name on the rocks in Twizzlers. One of the other hikers spelled out "AT" with Twizzlers, took a pic and then put the pieces into her trash bag. Chipmunk scooped up her pieces and started eating them, confused as to why the other hiker hadn't eaten hers. She said, "But, there was an ant crawling on them." Like a true thru hiker, Chipmunk said, "Yeah, so?"

Here's a pic of Zoidberg ... in order to judge Chipmunk's "take" on him, I might have to put a banana peel on her head for the full visual effect!

I loved getting text messages throughout the day from her fellow hikers that didn't quite make sense until after I received their photos. They referenced Chipmunk sleeping on the trail and I was like, "Huh?" Apparently, she hiked ahead and then found a "comfy?" spot to lounge and make it look like she was so far ahead that she had time to take a nap. Hmm, reminds me of the many times we'd beat Papa Chip home in separate cars from the same place, run into the house, change quickly into our PJ's and get under the covers just before he walked in and turned on the lights. We'd act like we'd been there forever waiting for him to haul his slow moving self home. We are NOT A MATURE group!

It appears that Chipmunk has corrupted yet another hiker! I think the kid is trying to "lounge" her way to Katahdin! I don't want to be the one to tell her, but there really must be more comfortable spots to catch a little rest, don't you think? Hey, Mona ... what's the on the ground just above your shoulder? That's not poison ivy, is it?? Oh no. That's going to be a pain in the neck!

Tom "Doinit" Kennedy and "Birdwing" finally got the troops up and moving. They tackled some tough, rocky terrain by laughing and poking fun throughout the day. It was such a treat for Chipmunk. She even told them that they were her "second" favorite group to hike with. Doinit noted that they should have brought more Twizzlers! As Chipmunk says ... "you know STRESSED spelled backwards is DESSERTS!"

Hey, look closely ... I think Doinit was carrying a mini-Chipmunk in his backpack. Don't be embarrassed, Tom. Even Chipmunk carries a mini "guy" on her pack ... see below.

See, Tom? We all do a little "Fan Girling"! This is Chipmunk's "non-essential" hiking item, a miniature Niall Horan from her favorite boy band, One Direction. It hangs on a carabiner from her waist belt so that he's always on hand. In the words of my southern born mother, "Why, he's no bigger than a cake of soap!" Actually, he's no bigger than a hand sanitizer "... oh, the times they are a changing!"

It was great that Chipmunk's fellow hikers took pics of her on the trail for me and our blog readers. I usually only get a small glimpse into her hiking day, when we chat over dinner in the evenings. Pics complete the story for me. Look at the beautiful long views they had! I guess that's the payoff for all the rocky hiking they're enduring.

Word has it there's also some video footage. If I'm able to figure out how to post it here, I will. If not, I'll get a link to the hikeformentalhealth.org page with the video on it when it's published and then put it on a future blog.

I drove to the end of day meet up spot, where Twinkle Toes signed the Chip Mobile. I passed out cold drinks and listened to all their fun stories about hiking with Chipmunk. Poor Tom, a.k.a. "Doinit", fell during the day and apparently it sounded like a balloon popping. Chipmunk immediately asked if he'd had any plastic surgery, insinuating that he had butt implants! Out of the mouths of 15 year olds!

Look at the smile on Twinkle Toes face ... kinda looks like she knows the "key to happiness" in life, doesn't it? Well, although that is important ... the keys to the car might actually be more helpful. oooohhhh! Snap!

Mona also signed the Po White Trash Truck Camper in the new trail name Chipmunk assigned her: "Bird Wing" According to Chipmunk, something about her hiking style, her poles, etc. led to the trail name. Everyone agreed and so it is: Mona is Bird Wing!

Once it was confirmed that Twinkle Toes had left her keys behind at Mona's house, we came up with a new plan: We'd all pile into the Chip Mobile, drive to Mona's, get the keys to her car (which was at the trailhead where they ended), grab a bite to eat and just plain relax. That sounded good to me!

NOTE, Chipmunk: People will do anything to score a ride in the Chip Mobile!

I like HFMH's way of relaxing: Board Doinit's boat, the "Grateful Sled", and hydroplane over to any number of waterfront restaurants for a bite to eat ... Niiiiiiice! In fact, I think we all should thank Wendy for her absentmindedness! It was a great way to end a very good hiking day! FYI, this is not "aqua-blazing" since the AT doesn't cross this waterway ... this is just plain "perfect-blazing".

Thanks to Mona for taking Chipmunk "under her wing"; to Wendy for being fun for Chipmunk to mon"KEY" around with and to Tom, for knowing that life goes on even after your butt implants deflate! (Trust me, I think many a man's butt implants have deflated!) Thanks also to the three of you for some great trail pics! It gave me insight into Chipmunk's hiking day and made me feel like I was right there with all of you.

After a yummy dinner out (thanks again, Tom!), Chipmunk, Twinkle Toes and I headed back to the trailhead where Wendy's car was waiting. We had some nice hugs and good night wishes before Chipmunk and I fell asleep quickly in our bunks. FYI, word has it that Chipmunk might meet up with another Hike for Mental Health member during tomorrow's hike. Sweet! I like these folks!

If you enjoy reading the story of our adventure, and you’d like to send some “Trail Magic” to Chipmunk, click on the “Donate” button at the upper right corner of today’s blog post. Chipmunk maintains a twitter account: @openlymtngoat where a common hashtag is #GoChipmunk . She (or we) will try to answer any questions you may have about her hike and this family adventure.

Thanks again for all your support,Mama Chip, Papa Chip, Chipmunk and her dog, Chocolate Chip(Tammy, Jay, Neva and Coco)

This is sooo awesome!!! I would love to meet you when you come through Warwick/Greenwood Lake NY area... Would LOVE for my kids(5 & 7) to meet you!!! I'm finding myself waking up and looking forward to reading the latest on your adventure!!! GREAT JOB Chipmunk!!! You ROCK!!! Find your Passion!!!!
from a triathlete mom :-)